Coreg vs Lopressor For Anxiety: Which Should I Take?

Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, or Valium are a common  treatment for many anxiety disorders. However, benzodiazepines can be highly addictive, and their side effects include drowsiness, sedation, confusion, unsteadiness, and more.

For people with a history of substance abuse or who work a job that requires them to drive frequently, operate heavy machinery, or use fine motor skills, benzodiazepines are not always an appropriate choice for anxiety treatment.

If you need an alternative anxiety treatment that specifically addresses the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as elevated blood pressure, a racing heart, and heavy sweating, then you’ll want to learn more about beta blockers. In this article, we will discuss two commonly prescribed beta-blockers, Coreg and Lopressor (generically known as carvedilol and metoprolol tartrate, respectively).

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The healthcare providers on Klarity Health can prescribe beta blockers for anxiety, and we’ll send them directly to your local pharmacy. We’ve helped over 30,000 Americans find affordable and accessible anxiety medication online. Our unique telehealth service helps you get the treatment you need fast and at a low cost. 
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Lopressor and Coreg are the Same Class of Drugs (Beta Blockers)

Coreg and Lopressor are two common beta blockers that work in a similar way, so they have similar effects on the body. However, there are subtle differences that this article will outline to help you choose the beta blocker that best suits your medical needs. 

What Are Beta Blockers?

Beta-blockers are a class of medication that was originally developed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Since their initial pharmaceutical debut, they’ve been prescribed to treat various cardiovascular issues as well as additional conditions unrelated to hypertension, like glaucoma and anxiety.

How Do Beta Blockers Work?

Beta-blockers, as the name implies, block the beta receptors that line the cells in various systems of your body. Specifically, these beta adrenergic blocking agents block receptors

, which react to certain hormones such as adrenaline and epinephrine.  

Adrenaline and epinephrine are hormones responsible for triggering the fight-or-flight response. When adrenaline or epinephrine enters a beta receptor, it triggers the heart to pump faster and harder, induces sweating, and increases alertness.

The beta receptors that these drugs are designed to block are Beta-1 and Beta-2 receptors. 

Beta-1 Receptors

Beta-1 receptors are found in the heart and kidneys. When activated, they cause blood pressure and heart rate to increase, and as a result the heart pumps with more force.

Beta-2 Receptors

Beta-2 receptors are found in smooth muscle systems like blood vessels, the nervous system, and the respiratory system. When activated, Beta-2 receptors increase heart rate and the amount of force the heart uses to pump blood. However, they also cause blood vessels and respiratory muscles to relax.

Lopressor and Coreg Can Treat Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

Essentially, adrenaline gears your body up to react to physical and sometimes emotional danger, known as the fight-or-flight response. Beta-blockers block the receptors that trigger the fight-or-flight response.

People with anxiety disorders often experience physical symptoms associated with the fight-or-flight response—racing heart, hyper-ventilating, increased blood pressure, sweating, and muscle tension, to name a few.

Because beta-blockers suppress the fight-or-flight response, they are often prescribed to treat the physical symptoms of anxiety in people with anxiety disorders.

If you are interested in learning more about how beta-blockers could help your physical symptoms of anxiety, book an appointment with an experienced provider on Klarity Health.

What Else Does Lopressor Treat?

Like most beta-blockers, Lopressor is primarily used to treat a variety of other cardiovascular conditions, including:

• Angina (chest pain) 
• Acute myocardial infarction
• Congestive or chronic heart failure

Off-label Uses for Lopressor  

• Supraventricular tachycardia (fast heartbeat)
• Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Thyrotoxic crisis (thyroid storm)
• Managing the physical anxiety symptoms

What Else Does Coreg Treat?

Coreg has a similar treatment profile to Lopressor. It treats the same cardiovascular symptoms as Lopressor and has a similar off-label treatment profile.

Coreg and Lopressor Are Not First-Line Hypertension Treatments 

Both Coreg and Lopressor are no longer the first choices to treat hypertension. This is because other beta blockers perform that specific cardiovascular function better than Coreg or Lopressor. However, Coreg and Lopressor are first-line treatments for heart attacks, congestive heart failure patients, and chest pains. 

Doses, Dosage Form, and Side Effects of Coreg 

Common Coreg Doses and Forms

Coreg comes in a variety of forms, each with a different target dose . The type and potency of Coreg doses depend on what condition it is treating.

Coreg extended-release capsules come in the following doses:

• 10mg
• 20mg
• 40mg
• 80mg

Coreg immediate-release tablets come in the following doses:

• 3.125mg
• 6.25mg
• 12.5mg
• 25mg

Healthcare providers recommend taking Coreg with food twice a day. Patients who skip a dose can experience a dramatic blood pressure spike, increasing the chances of heart attack or stroke. 

Common Coreg Side Effects

Common side effects of Coreg include:

• Dizziness
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Postural Hypotension (drop in blood pressure when standing from sitting or when sitting up from lying down)
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea 

Coreg Drug Warnings

Suddenly stopping Coreg can dramatically increase blood pressure, increasing the likelihood of heart attack and stroke.

People with severe COPD or Asthma should not take Coreg. However, patients with mild asthma or COPD can take Coreg if medically supervised and cleared. 

Taking Coreg will reduce high blood pressure and reduce how fast and hard the heart works. Certain symptoms of other diseases, like hyperthyroidism and diabetes, include high blood pressure and a racing heart. 

As a result, Coreg can mask the onset of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and symptoms of hyperthyroidism. If you have diabetes or hyperthyroidism, make sure to test/monitor regularly in case Coreg is masking symptoms of those other conditions. 

If you notice any changes that may indicate heart-related concerns while taking Coreg, reach out to your provider on Klarity Health. If you are experiencing life-threatening concerns, seek immediate medical attention. 

Common Coreg Drug Interactions

Taking Coreg with medications that help with abnormal heart rhythms can cause adverse reactions, such as worsening a heart blockage or causing dangerously low blood pressure. Examples of heart rhythm medication include:

• Sotalol
• Disopyramide
• Encainide
• Flecainide
• Amiodarone
• Bretylium
• Quinidine
• Digoxin
• Propafenone
• Procainamide

Coreg should not be used with other beta-blockers, as the effects of each drug will be more severe. Common beta-blockers (besides Lopressor and Coreg) include:

• Inderal or Angilol (propranolol)
• Sotalol
• Tenormin (atenolol)
• Cardicor or Emcor (bisoprolol)
• Trandate (labetalol)

Taking Coreg with non-beta-blocker blood pressure medication, such as clonidine, can cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. Your medical provider should monitor you for drastic drops in blood pressure.

Taking Coreg with calcium-channel blockers can also lead to unsafe drops in blood pressure and the development of arrhythmia. Common calcium channel blockers include diltiazem

and verapamil.

Taking Coreg with diabetes medication can cause blood sugar levels to drop to unsafe levels. Coreg can also mask certain diabetes symptoms. People with diabetes who take Coreg need to monitor blood sugar levels more frequently than people with diabetes who do not take Coreg. 

Coreg can also interact with transplant rejection drugs. Taking Coreg while also taking cyclosporine can elevate levels of cyclosporine. Patients need to be monitored and have the dose of their transplant rejection medication modified when taking Coreg. 

Before your provider on Klarity Health prescribes you Coreg, they will make sure you are aware of all possible drug interactions.

How Much Does Coreg Cost?

The price of Coreg depends on several factors, including your health care coverage, the location of your pharmacy, and whether you get generic or name-brand Coreg. Generally, a 30-day supply (60 tablets) of 25 mg Coreg tablets costs between $7 and $36.

Doses, Dosage Form, and Side Effects of Lopressor   

Common Lopressor Doses and Forms

Lopressor comes in a variety of forms, including tablets and capsules.  It also has several brand names depending on what it’s being prescribed to treat. 

As an immediate-release tablet, Lopressor is available in the following doses. Note the brand name Lopressor is only available for some of the following doses. Because it is an immediate-release tablet, patients must take Lopressor with food.

• 25mg in generic form
• 50mg in generic form and available as Lopressor
• 100mg in generic form and available as Lopressor

In extended-release form, the medication is called Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate ER). It only needs to be taken once per day instead of twice daily.

• 25mg
• 50mg
• 100mg
• 200mg

The providers on Klarity Health are experienced in prescribing the appropriate dose of Lopressor for anxiety treatment. They will determine which dose is going to be most effective for managing your symptoms if they choose to prescribe you Lopressor. 

Common Lopressor Side Effects

Lopressor has a similar side effect profile to Coreg. However, there are several differences between the two that readers need to be aware of. Lopressor can cause depression, shortness of breath, and tiredness, which are not widely reported in users of Coreg. 

Other side effects of Lopressor include:

• Skin Rash
• Depression
• Shortness of Breath/Wheezing
• Slowed Heart Rate
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Itchiness

Lopressor Drug Warnings

Lopressor has many of the same drug warnings that Coreg has. Here are the drug warnings again in brief.

Suddenly stopping a non-selective beta-blocker like Lopressor or Coreg can cause a severe spike in blood pressure, which increases the likelihood of a stroke or heart attack.

People with severe COPD or Asthma should not take Lopressor. Patients with mild asthma or COPD can take Lopressor if monitored closely for respiratory symptoms and cleared by a healthcare provider to take the medication.

Taking beta-blockers like Coreg or Lopressor can mask symptoms of hyperthyroidism and diabetes. People with these conditions must monitor themselves for hyperthyroidism and frequently test for low blood sugar levels. 

If you notice any changes in your heart rate, blood pressure, or any other symptoms that may indicate heart-related concerns while taking Lopressor, you should contact your healthcare provider on Klarity Health immediately. If you experience any severe or life-threatening symptoms, such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical attention or call emergency services right away.

Common Lopressor Drug Interactions

Lopressor should not be taken with other blood pressure or heart medication without approval from a healthcare provider. Common blood pressure medications include beta-blockers, like:

• Coreg
• Inderal or Angilol (propranolol)
• Sotalol
• Tenormin (atenolol)
• Cardicor or Emcor (bisoprolol)
• Trandate (labetalol)

And calcium channel blockers, like:

• Diltiazem
• Verapamil

Lopressor should not be taken with certain antidepressant medications without approval from a healthcare provider.

• Wellbutrin
• Prozac 
• Paxil
• Clonidine
• Thioridazine

Before your healthcare provider prescribes Lopressor, they will ensure that you are informed about all potential drug interactions.

How Much Does Lopressor Cost?

The price of Lopressor varies depending on your health coverage, the location of your pharmacy, and the form/dose you need for treatment. However, for a 30-day supply (60 tablets) of generic Lopressor (called Metoprolol), prices range between $3.50 and $15.

Do I Need A Prescription for Lopressor or Coreg?

Yes, you will need a prescription to take Lopressor or Coreg. Due to the potential side effects of beta-blockers, healthcare providers only prescribe these medications after carefully considering your general health, medical needs, medical profile, and medical history.

If you are interested in Coreg or Lopressor as a potential treatment for your anxiety, a healthcare provider on Klarity Health is qualified to evaluate your medical history and current symptoms to determine if either medication is appropriate for you. All of the providers are qualified to prescribe medication, and your provider will make an informed decision about prescribing you a beta-blocker. 

Klarity Health Will Help You Find Effective, Non-Habit-Forming Anxiety Medication Alternatives Online

If you can’t take benzodiazepines because of the nature of your work or because of your medical history, Klarity Health can help you find non-relaxant anxiety medication—all without having to wait months to receive it!  

Klarity Health has helped 30,000 people find affordable and effective mental health treatment through our novel telemedicine services. Start your non-relaxant anxiety treatment, if medically necessary, in as little as 24 hours.*